Social services and mental health grant program establishment for victims of Operation Metro Surge

A bill for an act

relating to human services; establishing a social services and mental health grant

program for victims of Operation Metro Surge; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.
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SOCIAL SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM

FOR VICTIMS OF OPERATION METRO SURGE.
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Subdivision 1.

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Grant program established.

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The commissioner of human services shall

establish a social services and mental health grant program for organizations that:

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(1) serve and support victims of the federal Department of Homeland Security Operation

Metro Surge in seeking or maintaining legal or citizenship status to legally obtain or retain

employment in any field or industry; or

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(2) provide specialized services and supports, including mental health services, to victims

of Operation Metro Surge.

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Subd. 2.

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Eligible grantees.

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(a) The commissioner shall select grantees as provided in

this subdivision.

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(b) Eligible applicants for a grant under this section must demonstrate the qualifications,

legal or other expertise, cultural competency, and experience in working with individuals

who have experienced trauma necessary to perform the activities required under subdivision

4 statewide or in a geographic region of the state.

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(c) Eligible applicants seeking to provide services include governmental units, federally

recognized Tribal Nations, nonprofit organizations as defined under section 501(c)(3) of

the Internal Revenue Code, for-profit organizations, and legal services organizations

specializing in obtaining employment visas.

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(d) The commissioner shall prioritize organizations that serve populations in areas of

the state most impacted by the federal Department of Homeland Security Operation Metro

Surge or for whom existing legal services, social services, and mental health services during

the legal process or while seeking qualified legal assistance are unavailable or insufficient.

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Subd. 3.

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Allowable uses of grant money.

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Organizations receiving grant money under

this section must provide one or more of the following:

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(1) social services designed to help eligible populations meet their immediate basic needs

during the process of seeking or maintaining legal status and legal authorization for

employment, including but not limited to accessing housing, food, employment or

employment training, education, course fees, community orientation, transportation, child

care, and medical care. Social services may also include navigation services to address

ongoing needs once immediate basic needs have been met; or

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(2) mental health services.

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Subd. 4.

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Reporting.

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Grant recipients under this section must collect and report to the

commissioner information on program participation and program outcomes. The

commissioner shall determine the form and timing of reports.

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Sec. 2.
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APPROPRIATION; SOCIAL SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANT

PROGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF OPERATION METRO SURGE.
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$....... in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of

human services for the social services and mental health grant program for victims of the

federal Department of Homeland Security Operation Metro Surge. This is a onetime

appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.

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